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March 18, 2013

Yes, yes, I know what you're thinking. I know what everyone thinks about smoking. But believe me when I tell you I'm the kind of person who couldn't care less what other people think of me, and particularly what they think about my smoking habit.

Of course I try to be considerate and respect the rights of non-smokers. But by golly, they should respect my rights as well. So I'll smoke if I want to, especially in the privacy and sanctity of my own home.

I've always known that cigarette smoke lingers -- on everything: clothing, hair, furniture, skin. But being a smoker, it never bothered me before. I guess I was just used to it. But after going out of town for a few days and returning to my closed-up apartment... well, I am ashamed to admit that as soon as I opened the door, I could smell the lingering effects of smoking indoors in the winter.

And it literally stank.

Like I said, I couldn't care less what people think of my smoking. But walking back into my stinky apartment was just embarrassing. You don't really notice a smell that you've got used to - even such an obnoxious one - until you've been away from it for a day or so. Then it can knock you down, it's so powerful.

And I had to wonder - if this was what my apartment smelled like even when I had been gone for a couple of days, what on earth must I smell like when I've been smoking constantly for the last thirty or so years? Is my shampoo stripping the smoke smell from my hair or not? And what about my skin? Is soap and water sufficient to rid myself of the stink of cigarette smoke? And what about my clothes? I opened my closet and instantly realized that all my clothes stink too.

Enough is enough. Even though I don't care what others think, it's beginning to bother me.

Not to mention the fact that the price of cigarettes just keeps going up and up and up... When you smoke a pack or more every day, that can really add up in no time. But quitting smoking is one of the hardest things in the world. Ask any smoker who's tried to quit. It's almost impossible.

I've even tried prescription drugs to help me stop smoking. And they worked...for a while. But I went right back to smoking as if I'd never stopped. There is just something so addictive about not just nicotine but the whole cigarette-smoking experience. Having something in your hand. Putting something to your lips and inhaling. When you've been a habitual smoker for many years, those habits are really really hard to break.

So when I received some Nicomate electronic cigarettes to review, the timing was perfect. I was finally getting into the "quitting for real and for good" mindset. Because that's the first obstacle to quitting smoking - you have to want to quit.

But quitting cold turkey is so very very hard for most smokers. Smoking is not just a habit like biting your nails. It's a pleasure. It's something you enjoy. Making the decision to quit involves weighing the good/bad factors and finding that the bad outweighs the good. This is a must. If the good still outweighs the bad, you probably won't be able to quit successfully. Or if you do, you'll resent the fact that something you enjoy has been taken away from you.

So I'll be honest - I'm not entirely sure I'm ready to quit just yet, but I'm getting there. These Nicomate disposable e-cigarettes have helped me be smoke-free for the past four days. Yep. I smoked my last cigarette four days ago, and then decided to give Nicomate a try.

I am very pleased with the results so far. The Nicomate electronic cigarette system delivers a small amount of nicotine in a vaporized state, which is inhaled from a tube device designed to look just like a real cigarette. The whole thing is designed to be as realistic as possible. You exhale "smoke" which is just harmless vapor. The end of the "cigarette" glows red (from a tiny LED bulb inside it) when you puff. I even heard a slight crackling sound when inhaling. All of this is designed to replace your real cigarettes in a gentle manner. For many, smoking just gives them something to do with their hands. These Nicomate "cigarettes" are a little heavier than a normal cigarette, but that added heft helps you know your hands are occupied. The nicotine delivers a cigarette "fix", but the electronic cigarette eliminates smoke, secondhand smoke, smell, fire hazard, and ashes.

So far I have been able to resist the temptation to run to the store and pick up another pack of cigarettes. Nicomate has been quite effective for me...and I've been smoking a pack a day for thirty years. My only concern is that the disposable e-cigarettes are rather expensive and don't last very long. I think I may have to invest in the full outfit if I'm to be successful at quitting smoking. The disposables have limited "puffs" (equal to roughly one pack of cigarettes) while the regular unit is refillable. Plus you can get different tobacco flavors - normal, menthol, apple, strawberry, vanilla, and mint. I think the apple sounds nice to try.

If you are a smoker wanting to quit, or if you know someone who needs a little help to quit, Nicomate might be the solution. I'm really impressed with the design of these things. I can imagine that most men would disdain to use something like an "electronic cigarette" because it isn't...well, manly. But these things look quite real, especially in low lighting when the end lights red as you puff. Plus blowing out vapor "smoke" helps with the fantasy too. In a club, or in the backyard around the grill, a guy could substitute an e-cigarette for the real thing and no one would be the wiser. Plus there's no smell, no ashes, nothing to dispose of afterward, no stained teeth, no bad breath. Just take a puff or two and stick it back in your pocket. It never gets hot, never leaks, made of sturdy stuff so it's not fragile.

In short, this just might be perfect for the person who's finding it hard to go cold turkey. Isn't it worth a try?

You can get 30% off your first starter kit of Nicomate by using coupon code "GIVEAWAY" at checkout. You can also try out the Nicomate system for 14 days simply by paying the shipping and handling. If after 14 days you decide Nicomate isn't for you, simply return the electronic cigarette free trial system and owe nothing. But if you, like me, realize that this just might be the product that finally allows you to gradually wean yourself away from cigarettes, then you'll just pay the remaining $89.95 for the kit. That's a heck of a deal, because for the price of about three packs of cigarettes, you can see for yourself if Nicomate is right for you.

Not ready to take that step yet? Then maybe you'll want to enter my giveaway for two Nicomate disposable e-cigarettes. The disposables don't last as long as the regular refillables, but at least they will give you an idea of what the Nicomate system is all about and a chance to try it out before committing to the full kit - and committing to finally quitting smoking for good.

Use the Rafflecopter form to enter. Please allow a minute or two for Rafflecopter to load. Winner selected randomly and will be notified by email, but must respond within 48 hours or an alternate winner will be selected. Giveaway open to US residents only please. Ends midnight CST Monday March 25th. Good luck!

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comments:

I've tried quitting for quite awhile now but I guess I wasn't really ready. 40 years is a hard habit to break for me. I'd never paid attention to the electronic cigarettes but I'm ready to try anything to get me going at this point. :)Thanks for the opportunity to win.